Easley normally performs surgery on horses. In deciding how to treat Marley, he and other doctors asked themselves, “Is treating a bear more like treating a dog, or a horse?” They settled on both and went to work.

“It’s kind of a race against time of whether we can get the bone to heal in the amount of time that it takes for infection to set in,” Easley said.

With expertise, and extra care, doctors hope they can give Marley a second chance. The bear is back at the Wild Animal Sanctuary. That’s been her home since rescuers found her four weeks ago. Rescuers hope she’ll make a full recovery and be able to live another 20 years.